African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 804 articles published.
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Donald Trump referred to Somaliland as a “country” at an election rally in Ohio, without formally announcing recognition. Somalia called on Washington to respect its sovereignty, while Somaliland authorities welcomed remarks they said offered hope, RFI reports.
Source: RFI
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa strongly criticised several Politburo members, including Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, for missing a ZANU-PF fundraising dinner. The gathering, which raised millions of dollars, has revived tensions between factions ahead of the party’s national congress, reports Zimeye.
Source: Zimeye
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened preparations for ZANU-PF’s 23rd national congress during a Politburo session. He asked officials to strengthen internal democracy, consult party members and follow the party’s statutes ahead of the opening scheduled for 16 October in Chinhoyi, reports Zimeye.
Source: Zimeye
Nigeria has carried out no executions for ten years, while 4,329 people, including more than 82 women, remain on death row, according to the Nigerian Correctional Service. On World Day Against the Death Penalty, participants called for a moratorium and for death sentences to be commuted to life imprisonment, reports Vanguard.
Source: Vanguard
Moroccan MPs have constituted the bureau of the House of Representatives and appointed the chairs of its nine standing committees, with a single list receiving 293 votes out of 295 ballots cast. The allocation, which brings together the majority and opposition, comes a day after Ahmed Touizi was elected president, Le Matin reports.
Source: Le Matin
Four men appeared on 12 October 2026 before the High Court of N’Djamena for the aggravated theft of containers of oil, which they admitted stealing. The owner of the compound where the oil was hidden is also in custody and denies any involvement; his lawyer is seeking his release, Alwihda Info reports.
Source: Alwihda Info
The trial of former Guinean magistrate Algassimou Diallo is due to begin on 15 October 2026 before the Supreme Court in Conakry. The hearing, initially scheduled for 8 September, was postponed to allow the defence to prepare the case and ensure the defendant’s physical appearance, according to Guinéenews, which cites a source close to the case.
Source: Guinéenews
The Law Association of Zambia condemned violence on 13 October at the Supreme Court in Lusaka after an election petition was adjourned. Security has been reinforced and those responsible could face prosecution, according to the association and Zambia’s Chief Justice.
Source: Zambianobserver
The alkalo of Latrikunda German, Alhaji Omar M.O. Faal, says he issued 132 voter attestations during the 2026 supplementary registration, not 13,000. He says only two attestations are being challenged before the Kanifing review tribunal and calls for the figures to be checked with the Gambian Independent Electoral Commission, according to his statement.
Source: Gambiana
The presidents of the Gabonese and Ivorian Senates, Huguette Yvonne Nyana Ekoume-Awori Onanga and Kandia Kamissoko Camara, signed a memorandum of understanding in Yamoussoukro on 13 October 2026. The agreement provides for closer technical and administrative cooperation, particularly on decentralisation and local development, Gabonclic reports.
Source: Gabonclic
Morocco’s House of Representatives elected its bureau with a majority of 293 votes out of 295 ballots cast, with Mustapha Baitas as first vice-president. Several MPs were also appointed as vice-presidents, quaestors, secretaries and committee chairs, according to Lavieeco.
Source: Lavieeco
Thirty-three Nigerian governors have voiced support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, according to Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo. He described the backing as an unprecedented political consensus at the launch of the APC presidential campaign council in Abuja, Punch reports.
Source: Punch
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to ease tensions and respect their neighbours’ sovereignty during a call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The US State Department called for a settlement through dialogue amid fears of a new conflict between the two countries, according to its statement.
Source: Punch
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has appointed Edson da Graça Francisco Macuácua minister of Education and Culture. Macuácua previously served as secretary of state for Science and Higher Education, while Samaria dos Anjos Filemon Tovela was dismissed, according to the Mozambican presidency.
Source: Jornalnoticias
Amjad Farid, Sudan’s adviser on political affairs and external relations, says two deadly incidents should not fuel tensions between Sudan and Egypt. He refers to a border incident that killed Sudanese people and another at a market in Khartoum that claimed Egyptian victims, according to Bajnews.
Source: Bajnews
UNITA president Adalberto Costa Júnior challenges the use of a single ballot paper to elect Angola’s president and National Assembly in the 2027 general elections. He calls for a constitutional amendment, which he considers a source of instability, reports Jornal F8.
Source: Jornal F8
South African courts have barred Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela from restarting the recruitment of the National Skills Fund’s chief executive. The court ruled in favour of recommended candidate Innocent Sirovha after proceedings challenging the resumption of the process, reports Daily Maverick.
Source: Daily Maverick
Gambian lawmaker Lamin Ceesay is asking political allies of President Adama Barrow to reimburse expenses incurred during the head of state’s national tour. He believes public funds should not cover their fuel, accommodation or allowances, according to statements to Kerr Fatou.
Source: Kerr Fatou
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